Spidey’s Serene Sundays | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 354 – Preparations

19 Dec 2021 44 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Christmas, Preparations, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Why is Christmas just like another day at the office? You do all the hard work and the fat guy inthe suit gets all the credit!”
Anon

Thanks, Spidey, for a gigglesome quote!

This year, for the first time, I feel totally underprepared for the festive season.

Sure I have the kids main gifts… (I think. Note to self, please go and check!) But aside from that, not much else. And a little something for Hubby Dearest.

I asked the in-laws the other day what they wanted, and hurriedly ordered small gifts from them.

So, wrapping is the next the stage.

But, for some reason, I don’t feel like being too prepared.

What with Omicrom now spreading through the UK, there is this high likelihood that restrictions may have to be put into place, again, maybe even before the big day, limiting the mixing of households, and certain gatherings.

Oh, I forgot, there is one thing I am kinda prepped for. Because of last year, and the same situation, I managed to get most of the Christmas dinner early, and froze it, and I was glad, because I ended up having to isolate on the main day, due to a close contact testing positive a few days before the end of term. So, I already have a turkey breast in the freezer, along with all the trimmings. It’s just dessert I haven’t got hold of, yet.

I want to go and see Pops and Mum, at some point, but looking at the way things are headed, it might not even be able to happen…

I just wish the powers that be, tell us soon, what the restrictions are going to be, so we can all be as prepared as possible… (Preferably before they embark upon another season of clandestine partying behind No. 10’s doors!)

So, how prepared are YOU for Christmas, this year?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 353 – Relief

12 Dec 2021 36 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Ofsted, Relief, School, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.”
Victor Hugo

Thanks, Spidey, for another appropriate quote!

Last week we were all on tenterhooks, at school. One of the other schools in our academy received ‘The Call’ from Ofsted. Usually, this means that if you are due, too, there is a good chance they could call you, especially if they are in the area, and this other school is literally 10 minutes away from us.

And we are overdue, now…

Monday to Wednesday are the big days… if you haven’t heard by Wednesday, consider yourself safe, for that week, at least!

But, there is still a week of school to go, until the break And next week is a Christmas filled week. There is no way that we are on the curriculum timetable, in the same way as usual.

The kids, for one, are high as kites, thinking of advent calendars, filled with chocolate, and high on the idea of a certain big fella in red coming to visit them, with sacks brimming with presents!

And we are in the midst of trying to practice nativity plays and making cards, etc., as well as trying to instill the true meaning of Christmas to them!

However, on Thursday, the heads of schools were sent a little missive from the DofE…

In light of the current situation, and with schools expected to put mitigations into place for the chance of a Covid wave, due to the Omicron variant, and what with Christmas leading everyone a merry tune, Ofsted inspection will be put on hold until the new year.

PHEW!

Now, that doesn’t mean we are safe. There is still going to be an inspection, however, at least we can enjoy our festive period without that hanging over our last few days at school, this term!

To say I am relieved is an understatement!

So, is there anything, like the threat of Ofsted, for me, that scares the living daylights out of you?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 352 – Lil Grinch

05 Dec 2021 36 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Lil Grinch, Lil Man, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, The Grinch

“In a world full of Grinches, be a Cindy Lou Who.”
ANONs

Thanks, Spidey, for that festive one!

It’s the first Sunday of December, which means that the craziness of Christmas is finally upon us.

I usually put the tree up on the 1st of December, but this year we succumbed a few days early, as I felt like we all needed the little boost that the tree always gives.

But, in school, the tree went up in the classroom, interestingly, and lopsidedly, decorated by my class. Elfis the elf is firmly ensconced in there, too, watching the girls and boys so he can send his reports to Santa. We’ve started practising the songs for our little nativity, too.

Yes, Christmas is definitely on its way!

But, I appear to be living with a modern version of the Grinch!

Lil Man has embraced his mid-teen years by becoming a 16-year-old misery guts when it comes to the festive season! When the tree went up, he refused to enter the living room for a day! Lil Princess and I love a good Christmas song, and have the radio on, in the car, excitedly singing along (well, I do, anyway!) to the festive tunes playing. Lil Grinch? He sits and either asks us to change the station or stuffs his own earphones into his ears!

How did I give birth to something so against Christmas???

I’m still working on him. I wonder if he’ll be happy to wear a Christmas jumper this year?

So, do you know any Grinches? How do you handle them?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 351 – Anniversary Of A Different Kind #Blogiversary #7years

28 Nov 2021 51 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, blogiversary, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“If you keep a thing for seven years, you are sure to find a use for it.”
Walter Scott

Thanks, Spidey, for that one!

Oh, my goodness!

Seven years. I’ve been blogging seven years.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 (@ritubhathalwrites)

Where did that time go? I remember it well, that morning I opened Facebook and a friend had posted that she had started writing about he depression, to help her, and here was a post. Would we like to read it?

Why, yes. Yes, I would love to read and support her.

So off I went, and read her post, and began to comment, when I was asked to create an account. Fine. I did that.

Then a little thing pinged up saying ‘Why not start a blog!’

The thing is, I actually had no idea what a blog was. However, in my infinite wisdom, I decided that yes, I would like to. I’d learn, and muddle along, and probably give up after a few days.

Name? But I Smile Anyway was the first thing I thought of, because it is, pretty much, me.

What was I going to write? Who knew? I certainly didn’t!

But, over the years, I have posted thousands of times, thought pieces, humour, poetry, fiction, reviews, life… And with those posts came you wonderful readers.

Some of you have been with me since the beginning, some joined in along the way. And I love my (not so little) blogily. I have been fortunate to have met some of the awesome bloggers I befriended, over the years, and honestly, you guys are genuine friends (and, some, like family).

You have encouraged me, laughed with me, cried with me, and generally put up with my nonsense for SEVEN years!

If it wasn’t for you, I would have never thought to publish a poetry book. I don’t think my debut novel would have ever come to life. And book two would absolutely not have been in the pipeline!

Oh, and I wouldn’t have had a second (not so used) blog, either!

You guys.

Thank you so much for being with me on this journey. Long may it continue!

“We’ve been together seven years. We’re pretty much like family.”
Shane Filan

So, do you know how long you have been following me? How long have you been blogging?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 350 – Anniversary Love

21 Nov 2021 40 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Wedding Anniversary

“And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.”
Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars

Thanks, Spidey, for another lovely, apt quote.

If you read Thursday’s blog, you’ll know that Hubby Dearest and I celebrated our twentieth anniversary, this week.

We went out for dinner on the day, with our grumpy teens, and I had Friday off, so we could spend time together. After a lovely surprise from him (more below), we popped to Bluewater for a little amble around and something to eat, before heading off to the in-laws to pick up the kids.

It wasn’t anything spectacular in the form of what we did, but just time together was wonderful.

Now, the surprises… so, I know gifting isn’t the be-all and end-all of a celebration, but it is lovely to be spoiled, and I think (hope!) we both were, in our own ways!

I commissioned artist Inkwisitive to create a piece of artwork from one of our favourite images from our wedding, for my present to Hubby Dearest. The children clubbed together with me to get Daddy a coffee machine that he wanted.

And him?

Well, that man excelled himself! On Thursday, I was gifted some pink champagne and a bouquet of roses so big I could barely hold it, and needed three vases at least, to hold them! Then on Friday, a delivery arrived, in the shape of a new (to me) car! The country roads, and driving in inclement weather is only going to get tougher, and he wanted to upgrade my current ride for a safer one.

See, I told you. Spoilt, rotten! I never married him for material gain. That has never been important to me. But he really does spoil me, and treat me like a queen.

I love him so, so much. Always and Forever, my love 💜

P.S. I really don’t need gifts, only him…

So, have you celebrated any big anniversaries? If so, how did you mark them?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!